A Tourist Attraction for European Travelers
In 2023, Tourism in the Canary Islands counted 1,505,565 visitors. Although international visitors are crucial to the Canary Islands economy, we cannot ignore the importance of national tourism in the Canary Islands. Spanish tourists, especially from the peninsula, play an essential role in the islands’ tourism sector.
During holidays and public holidays, many Spanish families choose the Canary Islands as their favorite destination for a well-deserved holiday. Spain is therefore an important player here with 13.3%. Many visitors come from different regions of Spain, such as Madrid , Catalonia and Andalusia. Many peninsula tourists also choose the Canary Islands as their holiday destination.
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Thanks to frequent flights and ferries from the Spanish mainland, access to the Canary Islands is easy and attractive to Spaniards all year round. Especially in winter, when they want to escape the cold, the islands are a popular option.
United Kingdom Tourists and Their Love for the Canary Islands
In addition, United Kingdom contributes significantly to tourism in the Canary Islands with 33.4%. In January 2024, no fewer than 441,078 United Kingdom people visited the islands. They consider the Canary Islands as the perfect place to escape the cold winter climate of their home country. The extensive tourist infrastructure and diverse activities, from water sports to nature excursions, make the islands attractive to English tourists of all ages.
Italy traditionally ranks fourth in the tourism ranking. Furthermore, Scandinavian countries such as Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland are also important markets for tourism in the Canary Islands. Although their numbers are smaller than those of Britain or Germany, Scandinavian tourists appreciate the sun and sea, making the islands a very popular destination for them.
Eastern European Countries are gaining interest
Eastern European countries such as Russia and Poland are also gaining importance as emerging markets for tourism in the Canary Islands. Due to increased air connections and more intensive tourism promotion in these regions, the number of tourists from Eastern European countries is expected to continue to grow in the coming years. Read more below the photos
In summary, Canary Islands tourism receives visitors from all over the world, but a few countries stand out as the main contributors to tourism in the region. Germany and Great Britain (33.4%) remain the largest markets, but we see a clear trend of increasing visitor numbers from Scandinavian countries.
From Spain to Great Britain and from Germany to the Scandinavian countries, each region brings its own charm and demand to Canary Islands tourism. This diverse flow of visitors contributes to the vitality and prosperity of the tourism sector, keeping the Canary Islands one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world.
Remarkably, holidaymakers from Belgium (2.9%) and the Netherlands (4.5%) represent a smaller share than expected in the tourism statistics until the end of 2023.